What is Engineered Wood Flooring?
If you are looking for flooring for your home, engineered wood floors have become quite popular. An engineered wood floor is made up of flooring with a layer of thin hardwood. This type of flooring can make a home seem warmer and more sophisticated. In addition, the average person will likely not be able to tell the difference between an engineered wood floor and a solid plank hardwood floor. This is why some people may be unsure about how to choose the right wood flooring for their homes.
While engineered wood floors and solid plank hardwood floors might seem similar in appearance, these two types of flooring are quite different when it comes to the impact on the environment. Engineered wood floors are not able to stand up to fires or floods, however, they rank higher in sustainability than solid plank floors. The engineered wood floor is also highly resistant to moisture and can be used in a damp basement area or other areas of the home that experience high humidity levels. In addition, this type of floor can even be glued direct over slabs of concrete or applied over solid plank floors. They are also easier to install and more affordable.
An engineered wood floor is more tolerant to moisture and more durable because of its design. By looking at a cross section of this type of flooring you will find that there are multiple layers of wood that make up its construct. The first layer is the veneer for the floor and would reflect the choice of the homeowner for the look. The thicker the veneer of the flooring is, the higher the cost. Choosing a thick veneer is ideal and this veneer should between 2 and 6 millimetres in order to allow for refinishing. The other layers that the veneer is made up of will also affect the price. In the final product, there can be anywhere from 3 to 12 layers of wood.
Homeowners can pick any type of wood flooring that they prefer to make up the layers of engineered flooring. Homeowners will find that there are a variety of aesthetics available including cherry, maple, oak, walnut and more. In addition, it is also important to consider how much traffic the flooring will receive so that you can select a thick layer if the floor will be used often. Thicker flooring allows for sanding and refinishing as necessary.
